Post on 14-Jan-2016
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The Importance of IPv6 for Mobile Operators
Presented byThomas Mazejian
CIO of VivaCell-MTS
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• Introduction
• Transition to higher generation mobile networks globally
• What does transition mean?
• Case Study: VivaCell-MTS
• Takeaways
Contents
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Biography
• Currently CIO of VivaCell-MTS, the Armenian subsidiary of the Russian mobile operator Mobile TeleSystems (MTS)
• In 1999 co-founded DC Soft SAL, leading Lebanese software development companies
• In 2007 relocated to Armenia to work for VivaCell-MTS
• As a CIO he is responsible for linking technology with business by aligning the IT strategy with the company's mission, values and strategic objectives
• Involved in several IT and Internet associations as board member and advisory roles
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Introduction
• The Internet has experienced phenomenal growth in the last 20 years
• 16 million users in 1995 and 2.8 billion users in 2013
• And the Internet is still growing: Research indicates that by 2020, there will be about 10 billion connected device
• Over 40% of the world’s projected population (7.6 billion)
• The next wave of Internet growth will have a much larger impact on the fundamental nature of the Internet
• It is coming from mobile networks
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10 BILLION DEVICES BY
2020
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Introduction (cont’d)
• While fixed network broadband still provides an important base for Internet users, mobile network access to the Internet has became a major development
• Mobile broadband subscriptions growing very rapidly in developing economies
• Phenomenal growth of mobile broadband is changing user behavior
• Rapid increase of mobile-only Internet access, i.e., users do not or very rarely use desktop/laptop computers to access the Internet
• Welcome to the world of apps: Mobile-health, mobile-learning, mobile-government services, etc.
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Transition to higher generation mobile networks globally
• Mobile networks are evolving from lower (2G) to higher generation (3G, 3.5G, and 4G (LTE, TD-LTE etc.) network connectivity
• Research projects 3G and 4G market share to increase to 53%
• Increasing 4G connections
• Research projects that LTE networks will reach more than 500 in 128 economies by 2017
• And at a economy level, the growth of LTE network deployment will shift from the US, Japan and South Korea to include other Asian economies
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What does transition mean?
• Business competency of mobile network operators is affected, basically shifting from a traditional voice and messaging provider to a mobile broadband service provider
• Services on voice, messaging and data are converging on IP-based services including sensors and devices
• Increasing downloadable rich media applications and content
• Demand for IP addresses will only increase: More devices connecting for a longer time
• Investing in techniques just to extend the lifetime of IPv4 ultimately limits business continuity, given the rapid increase in the number of smart mobile devices in higher generation mobile networks
• IPv6 may not generate immediate profits, but it will sustain a business model that has a future vision
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Case Study: VivaCell-MTS
• Launched operation in 2005
• Deployed 3G network in 2009. LTE launched in Dec-2010
• Population estimated 3 million
• Over 2 Million subscribers and almost 62% of the Armenian market
• Roaming agreements over 188 countries and 432 operators
• Fast growing operation - focused on full coverage of the Armenian market, and delivering the most innovative mobile voice and data products to its customers.
• Other Mobile Operators: Beeline (VimpelCom) and Orange (France Telecom)
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Case Study: VivaCell-MTS
• Lack of IPv4 address space combined with rapid growth in “always-on” devices prompted a re-think on IP addressing
• IPv4 does not fit the business need
• IPv6 deployment relatively easy
• Feasibility study and impact assessment on IPv6 deployment took about 8 months
• Started an IPv6 friendly user trial in 2010 using 2G/3G/HSPA network
• VivaCell-MTS did not spend any CAPEX to deploy IPv6
• Introduction feature to handsets is a slow and careful process
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Takeaways
• It has its own challenges, however, we have started observing IPv6 deployment in large mobile networks
• Lower generation network compatible
• IPv6 is well tested and has already been used in production mobile networks
• There are already many mobile devices supporting IPv6